Saint Benedict XI Catholic Saint

CATHOLIC SAINTS 28-12-2023, 19:39

  st.Benedict XI

Saint Benedict XI

Catholic Saint

st.Benedict XI-Dominican monk and pope

Feast Day : July 7

 

 

Also known as: Nicholas Boccasini

 

 

There is much uncertainty concerning the childhood of the man who came to be known as Pope Benedict XI. He was born in Treviso, Italy, in 1240, as Nicholas Baccasini. His father was either a poor shepherd or an impoverished nobleman; he died while Nicholas was young, and the boy was put in the charge of an uncle who was a priest in Treviso. Since Nicholas proved to be highly intelligent, his uncle had him trained in Latin and other clerical subjects. When he was 10, he began acting as a tutor to noble children, a vocation he followed for four years, then entered the Dominican monastery at Venice. As a monk, he continued his teaching career, primarily in Venice and Bologna. In 1295, he received a master’s degree in theology. He also became involved in administrative affairs, for a while serving as the Dominican prior general for Lombardy; in 1296 he was elected the order’s ninth master general. Nicholas was a strong supporter of Pope Boniface VIII (r. 1294–1303), widely unpopular for his treatment of his predecessor, Pope St. Celestine V (r. 1294). Nicholas issued a general ordinance forbidding Dominicans to show any favor to Boniface’s opponents and enjoined them to defend the legitimacy of Boniface’s election in their sermons. Boniface rewarded this loyalty by sending Nicholas on papal missions and, in 1298, by appointing him bishop of Ostia and dean of the Sacred College of Cardinals. Dominicans hastened to Rome to protest these appointments, only to hear from the pope a prophecy that God had reserved an even greater burden for Nicholas. Nicholas stood by Boniface even in 1303, when forces unfriendly to him captured the Lateran Palace.

 

Troops under King Philip the Fair of France’s counselor William of Nogaret then besieged the pope in the castle of Anagni, whence he had fled, and demanded that he abdicate the papal throne. The soldiers stormed the house, where they were met by the pope and Nicholas, along with one other supporter, the cardinal-bishop of Sabina. For a time it seemed that all would die, but Nicholas succeeded in rallying the pope’s forces, and they were rescued. Nevertheless Boniface had suffered much, and he died a short while later. The Sacred College met on October 22, 1303, and elected Nicholas as Boniface’s successor, thus fulfilling the latter’s prophecy concerning the former. Assuming the name Benedict XI, Nicholas immediately set about making peace with Philip the Fair. He absolved the king and his subjects of censures Boniface had placed on them. However, he excommunicated William and summoned him to appear before his tribunal. Benedict died suddenly at Perugia on July 7, 1304, after a reign of only eight months. It was thought that he had been poisoned by William, though this was never proved. Miracles at his intercession were reported even before his burial, and continued thereafter at his tomb. He is venerated especially in Perugia, though his feast is celebrated in Rome and throughout the Dominican order. In art, Benedict is depicted as wearing a Dominican habit and papal tiara, while holding the keys.

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